Help please; sagging corner on W210 E55 AMG

[Cleggmeister]

Hi there,

Was polishing my car today when I noticed the rear end (drivers side) seemed a little lower than it should be. On checking it's maybe 1.5 inches lower than the opposite side.

I then checked the tyre tread and was astonished to see almost complete wear around the centre of the tyre, with some tread remaining towards the outside.

Seriously worried now. I guess something's failed in the suspension at that corner; please could you suggest what it might be?

Many thanks,

Geo.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Broken spring most likely..tyre is bald in the centre because it was/is over inflated

 

[Cleggmeister]

Thanks XTF, I was thinking as much...

Will get a new tyre tomorrow then take it into O'Neil's for a check up.

 

[drivinggod09]

nice motor fella

 

[Cleggmeister]

nice motor fella

Cheers Rob, it'll be like new soon after a bit of bodywork loving. 160k miles and still like new (almost)!

 

[Cleggmeister]

 

[Xtractorfan]

And just thinking since i'm mighty sure I heard something about this model having a problem with the top suspension mounts.. have a look around here on the forum for suspension problems ...best of luck...

 

[wireman]

I think the spring mount rusting problem is front end.
The most likely fault is a broken spring, if it is broken you must replace both sides and should fit new spring seats at the same time.

Oh and by the way bumping up kerb stones can fracture a spring thats already on its way out.

 

[Cleggmeister]

Just had a call from the garage, the springs are fine. Strange...

Apparently it has self levelling suspension - maybe this is on the blink. Will post more findings when I know what's up.

 

[David Wilkins]

Hi,

I've just replaced the front springs on my W210 320 CDI - it had this lop sided droop of about half inch - it was a broken spring. Thats really all it could be I think. They break the last half turn off the bottom and settle in the spring carrier and are very hard to spot (I am blessed with eagle eyes and a tape measure!) . Springs are about £100 from MB. The springs have colour blobs painted on them to id the correct ride height ones. I also replaced all the sway bar rubber bits as they were a bit strtched from holding up the weight. It was a corroson induced fatigue crack in the spring, I reckon. Also put in the sacrificial anode spacers (look like aluminium drink can cut outs) that are "no longer required to prevent corrosion cracking" according to MB. Ha Ha Ha.

The job took me all day and was a bit tough without the correct spring compressors and ball joint splitter. I used a floor jack but I wouldn't advise this method for first timers as the springs are very strong and if it gets out of control it can get ugly.

If you want to lower the ride height you can get new thinner rubber tops for the springs with fewer pips. I dropped 2 pips and with the new springs the ride height still went up about .3 inch with the new springs and is now level.

The car now goes over speed bumps more smoothly and corners better. Good result.

W210 E55, cool car, hope you solve your issue.

Cheers.

 

[Cleggmeister]

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts folks.

The local garage topped up some hydraulic fluid and thought all was right, though when I collected the car it's still lower on the drivers rear corner. I can get my full hand in between tyre and arch on the passenger side but not on t'other.

Needed it back as I have a busy week however I'll get it into O'Neill's soonest for a proper check up.

Will keep y'all informed.

GC.